Milk-ya Guest House

The guesthouse is really comfortable, and the host is friendly and helpful.

This women-only guesthouse is tucked into a quiet corner of the neighborhood, so most of the sounds you hear are local animals from the nearby jungle and forest. I booked through AirBnb and had a wonderful time talking with my hostess and the other women staying there. It was fun getting to know the guests in passing. A special experience and a memory I’ll treasure.

The owner was so thoughtful. Once he learned we’d arrive late, he had our bedding ready ahead of time. His two cats are clever and adorable, especially Tora, who shook our hands and gave us high-fives! We hadn’t bought breakfast, so he kindly shared some food from his fridge, which we really appreciated. Because it’s a women-only hostel, we could relax and chat with the other guests in the evening. It was a wonderful stay, and I highly recommend it if you get the chance.

My friend and I had talked about visiting Miruku-ya someday after I came across it on Google Maps. Then rough seas spoiled our plan to go to Yoron Island. While scrambling to rearrange the trip, I remembered Miruku-ya, checked for availability, and booked a room right away. The whole trip felt like I’d been guided there. I only have a motorcycle license, so I needed to rent a motorbike, but carrying luggage was a problem. This place made that easy: if you send your bags to Yamato Transport in the morning, they arrive the same day. I arranged pickup from my previous accommodation before renting the bike and setting out. The inn looks like an ordinary house renovated in a stylish Asian style, and my room had a canopy over the bed. The twin room was roomy and comfortable. My luggage hadn’t arrived yet, so they lent me pajamas. Miruku-san took care of everything for me. They had the amenities I needed, plus lots of seasonings and tea, so I could cook as much as I wanted. I stayed three nights. It felt incredibly long and far too short at the same time, and I didn’t want to leave. I had so many lovely experiences and met wonderful people, including Miruku-san. The cat was so cute I nearly melted. I miss Miruku-san and really want to find a way to go back. They set out different things I could cook for breakfast, and I ate with the other guests. The stay felt like being at Miruku-san’s home, somewhere between a homestay and a lovely inn. I’m sad to leave and want to see them again. I’ve fallen in love with Yomitan! It’s not that far if you avoid the highway, so a moped works well. Just keep in mind that Okinawa in general is inconvenient without something like a rental car. There are plenty of tasty, reasonably priced restaurants around, and I haven’t even tried them all yet. This place may not suit people who dislike or are allergic to cats, but it’s perfect if you want to play with them. You can also just unwind in your room if you don’t want to socialize. I’d meant to relax, but ended up spending the whole time in the dining room because it was so much fun. Tora-chan...